Ex-political candidate free after alleged Springboro road rage

A former political candidate was released from the Warren County jail today on his own recognizance in a case also prompting a press release from Springboro police.

A police report released today shows the incident resulting in the arrest of Samuel Ronan, 28, of Springboro began after a patrolman observed as a “road rage incident between two vehicles.” It also indicates dispatch advised the patrolman that Ronan had a “concealed weapon license” and that Ronan began recording with his cellphone as he exited his car also carrying “a medium-size blue bag in his left hand.”

The report indicates Ronan was arrested after a struggle with police in a parking lot near his home.

A police report released today shows the incident resulting in the arrest of Samuel Ronan, 28, of Springboro began after a patrolman observed as a “road rage incident between two vehicles.” It also indicates dispatch advised the patrolman that Ronan had a “concealed weapon license” and that Ronan began recording with his cellphone as he exited his car also carrying “a medium-size blue bag in his left hand.”

Court records indicate that during today’s arraignment, Judge Gary Loxley set a trial for for June 19 on charges Ronan resisted arrest and failed to comply with the order of a Springboro police officer early Saturday.

Loxley also scheduled at the same time on June 19 a preliminary hearing on a charge of obstructing official business, a fifth-degree felony.

Ronan’s case was referred to the public defender, although he is employed and a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserves, according to a docket entry in Warren County Court.

However, Ronan might not be able to afford a lawyer, prompting the court to assign it to the public defender, according to the entry filed after his appearance via video link between the jail and court in Lebanon.

“Mr. Ronan was observed, by a Springboro police officer, operating his vehicle in an unsafe manner. The Springboro police officer attempted to stop Mr. Ronan, for the traffic violation, by activating his overhead lights. Mr. Ronan ignored this signal to stop and continued to drive. The Springboro officer then activated his siren. Mr. Ronan ignored this attempt to stop him and continued to drive. Mr. Ronan then led the Springboro police officer on a brief pursuit, turning into an apartment complex.

“Mr. Ronan stops his vehicle and immediately exits. Mr. Ronan refuses to comply with verbal commands and is reaching into his pocket. Mr. Ronan then points an object at the Springboro officer, which is in his right hand. Mr. Ronan continues to ignore verbal commands and begins walking toward the officer. Mr. Ronan is taken into custody and charged with failure to comply with order or signal of police officer, obstructing official business and resisting arrest.

“The Springboro Division of Police is aware a small portion of this encounter has received significant exposure on social media. While some of the exposure has been negative, we would like to convey our appreciation to many of our residents and those who have expressed their support of the division until ALL facts are reviewed and decided in a court hearing to be held at a later time,” a press release issued by Lt. Dan Bentley said.

Locally, Ronan ran against Congressman Steve Chabot in the May Republican primary, and two years ago as a Democrat, he contested the election of State Rep. Scott Lipps.

Ronan also ran for Democratic National Committee chairman in 2017 and gained attention in appearances on CNN.

He was booked into the county jail at 2:46 a.m. Saturday by Springboro police.